State Rep. Cathy Dahlquist of Enumclaw was honored as Legislator of the Year Legislator of the Year by the Fraternal Order of Police.

She was given the award for her sponsorship of House Bill 1206, which was signed into law in 2011.

House Bill 1206 added criminal justice workers, including police officers, prosecutors and other correctional staff, to the list of those workers protected from harassment while performing their jobs. Judges and juries already have this protection. It ensures they do not come under undue pressure that may stop them from upholding the law in a fair and impartial way.

“I am humbled to have been given the group’s highest award for simply doing the right thing by our law enforcement community,” said Dahlquist, R-Enumclaw. “Brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect us and the least we can do is add in some safeguards that give them peace of mind.”

Dahlquist thanked 31st Legislative District seatmate Rep. Christopher Hurst for his help in pushing the measure through the legislative process.House Bill 1206 took effect July 22, 2011.